Town of Jasper

Jasper, Alberta in approximately 1915 (L. M. Petersen, Glenbow Museum NA-2067-1) and in June, 2004 (CW Collection 2004-06A-11). David Thompson, on his epic winter trip over Athabasca Pass in December, 1810, likely followed a routinely-used First Nation’s trail that skirted Old Fort Point, jutting into the Athasbasca River (left side of the historical photograph) across from the present-day town of Jasper.

Prior to about 1910, the Athabasca Valley near and around the town of Jasper was frequently burned by fires, some ignited by lightning, but probably more often by First Nations. Several sets of images (click for link) help illustrate this fascinating history of landscape change.